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The Herald Scotland
21 hours ago
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Farage as PM could push independence support close to 60%, poll suggests
But if Reform UK were to win the next general election that figure could near the 60% level some believe should be the tipping point for another referendum. The figure rose from 50% in the last Norstat poll in January. Support for independence sits at 54%, according to the poll (Jane Barlow/PA) The highest that support for independence has reached in recent years is 58%, in an Ipsos Scotland poll for STV News in the early months of the pandemic, as Nicola Sturgeon received plaudits for her handling of Covid-19. But the increase comes as support for the SNP continued to fall ahead of next year's Holyrood elections, with the party dropping two percentage points in both the constituency and regional list votes to 33% and 28% respectively. Labour's support rose slightly to 19% in constituencies and 18% in Scotland's regions. But Reform UK would see a surge, if the poll was to reflect the returns seen next May, with Mr Farage's party jumping to 18% in constituencies and 16% on the list – up two and three percentage points respectively. Meanwhile the Scottish Tories dropped two points to 13% locally and remained at 15% in the regions. The figures come ahead of a by-election in Lanarkshire this week, after the death of Scottish Government minister Christina McKelvie. According to polling expert Professor Sir John Curtice, in projections for the Sunday Times, John Swinney was on track to win an unprecedented fifth term in office for his party next year, securing 54 seats. Labour would drop to 20 seats, while Reform would win 18 in their first full political test in Scotland. Meanwhile, the Tories would drop from being the second biggest party to the fourth, with just 17 MSPs, followed by the Lib Dems on 11 and the Greens on nine. The poll also looked at Westminster voting intentions, with the SNP recording 31% of the vote, followed by Reform surging into second on 21% and Labour dropping 15 points from last year's election to 20%. The Conservatives sit at 12%, while 8% said they would vote for the Lib Dems. But despite leaping into second, Nigel Farage's party would not return a single MP, the polling expert said, with the SNP rising to 30, Labour falling to 16 and the Lib Dems and Tories remaining on six and five respectively. SNP depute leader Keith Brown said his party has 'momentum' and Labour has lost Thursday's by-election in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse. 'In government, Labour has taken away the winter fuel payment, cut £5 billion of support for disabled people and watched on as energy bills rose by £150,' he said. 'With an SNP Government, the people of Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse are getting action on what matters to them: bringing back the universal winter fuel payment, record funding for our NHS and key costs lower, with peak rail fares scrapped and lower income tax for the majority of taxpayers. 'The Labour Party has let you down and Farage is trying to stoke division, but the SNP is always on your side.' Scottish Labour's deputy leader Jackie Baillie said: 'Scotland has been let down for too long by this tired and out-of-touch SNP government. 'After 18 years in charge, the SNP has left our NHS at breaking point, our economy flatlining and our schools tumbling down the international league tables. 'This week the people of Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse will get a chance to call time on SNP failure and choose a new direction with Scottish Labour. 'It's clear the SNP does not deserve to win this by-election and only Scottish Labour can beat them.'
Glasgow Times
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
Farage as PM could push independence support close to 60%, poll suggests
The survey by Norstat for the Sunday Times, which spoke to 1,007 Scots between May 27 and May 30, showed support for separation currently sits at 54% in Scotland. But if Reform UK were to win the next general election that figure could near the 60% level some believe should be the tipping point for another referendum. The figure rose from 50% in the last Norstat poll in January. Support for independence sits at 54%, according to the poll (Jane Barlow/PA) The highest that support for independence has reached in recent years is 58%, in an Ipsos Scotland poll for STV News in the early months of the pandemic, as Nicola Sturgeon received plaudits for her handling of Covid-19. But the increase comes as support for the SNP continued to fall ahead of next year's Holyrood elections, with the party dropping two percentage points in both the constituency and regional list votes to 33% and 28% respectively. Labour's support rose slightly to 19% in constituencies and 18% in Scotland's regions. But Reform UK would see a surge, if the poll was to reflect the returns seen next May, with Mr Farage's party jumping to 18% in constituencies and 16% on the list – up two and three percentage points respectively. Meanwhile the Scottish Tories dropped two points to 13% locally and remained at 15% in the regions. The figures come ahead of a by-election in Lanarkshire this week, after the death of Scottish Government minister Christina McKelvie. According to polling expert Professor Sir John Curtice, in projections for the Sunday Times, John Swinney was on track to win an unprecedented fifth term in office for his party next year, securing 54 seats. Labour would drop to 20 seats, while Reform would win 18 in their first full political test in Scotland. Meanwhile, the Tories would drop from being the second biggest party to the fourth, with just 17 MSPs, followed by the Lib Dems on 11 and the Greens on nine. The poll also looked at Westminster voting intentions, with the SNP recording 31% of the vote, followed by Reform surging into second on 21% and Labour dropping 15 points from last year's election to 20%. The Conservatives sit at 12%, while 8% said they would vote for the Lib Dems. But despite leaping into second, Nigel Farage's party would not return a single MP, the polling expert said, with the SNP rising to 30, Labour falling to 16 and the Lib Dems and Tories remaining on six and five respectively. SNP depute leader Keith Brown said his party has 'momentum' and Labour has lost Thursday's by-election in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse. 'In government, Labour has taken away the winter fuel payment, cut £5 billion of support for disabled people and watched on as energy bills rose by £150,' he said. 'With an SNP Government, the people of Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse are getting action on what matters to them: bringing back the universal winter fuel payment, record funding for our NHS and key costs lower, with peak rail fares scrapped and lower income tax for the majority of taxpayers. 'The Labour Party has let you down and Farage is trying to stoke division, but the SNP is always on your side.' Scottish Labour's deputy leader Jackie Baillie said: 'Scotland has been let down for too long by this tired and out-of-touch SNP government. 'After 18 years in charge, the SNP has left our NHS at breaking point, our economy flatlining and our schools tumbling down the international league tables. 'This week the people of Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse will get a chance to call time on SNP failure and choose a new direction with Scottish Labour. 'It's clear the SNP does not deserve to win this by-election and only Scottish Labour can beat them.'
Western Telegraph
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Western Telegraph
Farage as PM could push independence support close to 60%, poll suggests
The survey by Norstat for the Sunday Times, which spoke to 1,007 Scots between May 27 and May 30, showed support for separation currently sits at 54% in Scotland. But if Reform UK were to win the next general election that figure could near the 60% level some believe should be the tipping point for another referendum. The figure rose from 50% in the last Norstat poll in January. Support for independence sits at 54%, according to the poll (Jane Barlow/PA) The highest that support for independence has reached in recent years is 58%, in an Ipsos Scotland poll for STV News in the early months of the pandemic, as Nicola Sturgeon received plaudits for her handling of Covid-19. But the increase comes as support for the SNP continued to fall ahead of next year's Holyrood elections, with the party dropping two percentage points in both the constituency and regional list votes to 33% and 28% respectively. Labour's support rose slightly to 19% in constituencies and 18% in Scotland's regions. But Reform UK would see a surge, if the poll was to reflect the returns seen next May, with Mr Farage's party jumping to 18% in constituencies and 16% on the list – up two and three percentage points respectively. Meanwhile the Scottish Tories dropped two points to 13% locally and remained at 15% in the regions. The figures come ahead of a by-election in Lanarkshire this week, after the death of Scottish Government minister Christina McKelvie. According to polling expert Professor Sir John Curtice, in projections for the Sunday Times, John Swinney was on track to win an unprecedented fifth term in office for his party next year, securing 54 seats. Labour would drop to 20 seats, while Reform would win 18 in their first full political test in Scotland. Meanwhile, the Tories would drop from being the second biggest party to the fourth, with just 17 MSPs, followed by the Lib Dems on 11 and the Greens on nine. The poll also looked at Westminster voting intentions, with the SNP recording 31% of the vote, followed by Reform surging into second on 21% and Labour dropping 15 points from last year's election to 20%. The Conservatives sit at 12%, while 8% said they would vote for the Lib Dems. But despite leaping into second, Nigel Farage's party would not return a single MP, the polling expert said, with the SNP rising to 30, Labour falling to 16 and the Lib Dems and Tories remaining on six and five respectively. SNP depute leader Keith Brown said his party has 'momentum' and Labour has lost Thursday's by-election in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse. 'In government, Labour has taken away the winter fuel payment, cut £5 billion of support for disabled people and watched on as energy bills rose by £150,' he said. 'With an SNP Government, the people of Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse are getting action on what matters to them: bringing back the universal winter fuel payment, record funding for our NHS and key costs lower, with peak rail fares scrapped and lower income tax for the majority of taxpayers. 'The Labour Party has let you down and Farage is trying to stoke division, but the SNP is always on your side.' Scottish Labour's deputy leader Jackie Baillie said: 'Scotland has been let down for too long by this tired and out-of-touch SNP government. 'After 18 years in charge, the SNP has left our NHS at breaking point, our economy flatlining and our schools tumbling down the international league tables. 'This week the people of Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse will get a chance to call time on SNP failure and choose a new direction with Scottish Labour. 'It's clear the SNP does not deserve to win this by-election and only Scottish Labour can beat them.'
South Wales Argus
a day ago
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Farage as PM could push independence support close to 60%, poll suggests
The survey by Norstat for the Sunday Times, which spoke to 1,007 Scots between May 27 and May 30, showed support for separation currently sits at 54% in Scotland. But if Reform UK were to win the next general election that figure could near the 60% level some believe should be the tipping point for another referendum. The figure rose from 50% in the last Norstat poll in January. Support for independence sits at 54%, according to the poll (Jane Barlow/PA) The highest that support for independence has reached in recent years is 58%, in an Ipsos Scotland poll for STV News in the early months of the pandemic, as Nicola Sturgeon received plaudits for her handling of Covid-19. But the increase comes as support for the SNP continued to fall ahead of next year's Holyrood elections, with the party dropping two percentage points in both the constituency and regional list votes to 33% and 28% respectively. Labour's support rose slightly to 19% in constituencies and 18% in Scotland's regions. But Reform UK would see a surge, if the poll was to reflect the returns seen next May, with Mr Farage's party jumping to 18% in constituencies and 16% on the list – up two and three percentage points respectively. Meanwhile the Scottish Tories dropped two points to 13% locally and remained at 15% in the regions. According to polling expert Professor Sir John Curtice, in projections for the Sunday Times, John Swinney was on track to win an unprecedented fifth term in office for his party next year, securing 54 seats. Labour would drop to 20 seats, while Reform would win 18 in their first full political test in Scotland. Meanwhile, the Tories would drop from being the second biggest party to the fourth, with just 17 MSPs, followed by the Lib Dems on 11 and the Greens on nine. The poll also looked at Westminster voting intentions, with the SNP recording 31% of the vote, followed by Reform surging into second on 21% and Labour dropping 15 points from last year's election to 20%. The Conservatives sit at 12%, while 8% said they would vote for the Lib Dems. But despite leaping into second, Nigel Farage's party would not return a single MP, the polling expert said, with the SNP rising to 30, Labour falling to 16 and the Lib Dems and Tories remaining on six and five respectively.
The Herald Scotland
a day ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Scot Gov declines to reveal cost of Intercity bids process
Asked for comment, leading rail union ASLEF has said the government must be transparent in its dealings and ensure that any purchases benefit taxpayers. Transport Scotland announced in December that the Intercity fleet, which consists of 25 high speed trains (HSTs) serving routes between Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Inverness; would be replaced. However, six months later, details of the bidding process are scarce. Scot Gov refused to provide details of the procurement process (Image: Jane Barlow/PA).According to Public Contracts Scotland, the deadline for bidding on the contract was 3 February, while selected candidates were invited to submit tenders on 3 March. The procurement notice states that a contract is expected to be awarded by 28 November, running until 31 December 2035. Responding to our FOI request, the Scottish Government declined to share any details of the firms involved, informing The Herald: 'Please note that due to the sensitivity of the commercial information related to the replacement of the High Speed Trains, some commercial details of this procurement would be considered confidential, as releasing them would or would likely substantially harm ScotRail's economic interests.' When asked to provide details of the cost incurred since the procurement process began, the government wrote: 'It would not be possible to ascertain with confidence how much has been spent so far, as preparation for any exercise of such a scale involves a staff cost element (including Scottish Government, ScotRail Trains and Scottish Rail Holdings employees) and it would not be possible to attribute this element with accuracy.' However, The Herald has been told that the search for bids, expected to last 12 months, is going according to schedule. Train drivers' union ASLEF has weighed in (Image: Danny Lawson/PA).Train drivers' union ASLEF has called on the government to commit to more transparency going forward. Scottish Organiser Kevin Lindsay told The Herald: 'Our members wish to see a fleet which meets with modern crashworthiness standards. 'Transparency should be at the heart of the Scottish Government's procurement process. Procurement processes to replace rolling stock should always benefit the taxpayer, not the rolling stock companies.' Lindsay went on to say that any future procurements should be carried out using the government's existing borrowing powers, instead of relying on 'profiteering' rolling stock companies. The union boss previously wrote to then-Transport Minister Kevin Stewart in April 2023, urging him to replace 'antiquated' HSTs with modern 222s units, which were described as 'safe and clean'. However, these suggestions were dismissed 'out of hand' at the hand, according to the union. Concerns over the 50-year-old fleet were raised in the wake of the deadly Carmont rail crash west of Stonehaven, which tragically claimed the lives of Christopher Stuchbury, Donald Dinnie and Brett McCullough in August 2020. Three years later, a driver's cabin was crushed after a HST struck a fallen tree in December 2023 near Broughty Ferry. While the train's driver was able to shelter behind his seat, the safety of the aging fleet was again brought into question. The deadly Carmont crash led to questions over the future of the HST fleet. Now, a new report released by ASLEF, entitled 'A Vision for Financing Scotland's Railways', states that the government could save the taxpayer millions of pounds if they use green bonds (funds earmarked for environmental projects) to pay for the new fleet. The report's co-author Professor Andrew Cumbers, of Glasgow University, said the government could save as much as £362m. He remarked: 'Our research suggests that funding the next generation of rolling stock directly through the Scottish Government's existing borrowing powers, using Green Bonds, could be as much as 70% cheaper than through private finance. 'For the next order of suburban passenger trains, we have calculated that savings of at least £144m and up to £362m (compared to a private finance deal) could be made. 'Rather than leaking out of the system to fund private profits, this revenue could be used to reduce ticket prices and invest further in the country's transport infrastructure, while creating local jobs and training opportunities.' Read more from Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco: Top Scottish universities to review trans policies after Supreme Court ruling Drivers racked up £1.7m in LEZ fines since 2023, figures show Aberdeen City Council's £1m law bill revealed amidst spate of legal challenges Responding to The Herald's request for comment, ScotRail declined to say how many firms were involved in the procurement process. ScotRail Strategy & Planning Director Scott Prentice noted: 'We know the high-speed trains have been popular with customers on routes connecting Scotland's eight cities, but replacing the oldest trains in our fleet is essential to encouraging more people to choose rail over car travel. 'Replacing these trains will improve service reliability and fleet availability, delivering better journeys for customers across the country. It also means more trains will be available for service each day for customers in Fife, the Borders, and between Aberdeen and Inverness. 'This is a key step in our wider plan to modernise the fleet in partnership with Transport Scotland and Network Rail.'
